Christopher C. Odom

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Christopher C. Odom (born July 7, 1970 in Manhasset, New York), is an independent digital film director, producer, writer, cinematographer, editor, composer and actor. Christopher holds a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Video with a Minor in Theater from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia and a Professional Certificate in Screenwriting, as well as a Master of Fine Arts in Film, Television and Digital Video, from the University of California, Los Angeles. He is of African-American, Native-American, Indian and European descent.

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[edit] Biography

A member of the Writers Guild of America, west, Screen Actors Guild, and the Former Vice-President and Newsletter Editor-In-Chief for the Organization of Black Screenwriters, Christopher first became interested in Film & Television as a college dropout from Morehouse College, the alma mater of Spike Lee. In Atlanta, Chris lived in a hospital for three months with his dying roommate. While his roommate was preparing for his death, Chris was preparing for the rest of his life. It was then when Chris saw the light and it was the light of the camera. He was to be in show business.

While in Atlanta, Chris worked as a writer for the sketch comedy show “The Pfhar Side” on Georgia Cable Television and was the Vice-Chairperson of the Cinéfest Film Theater on the campus of Georgia State University. Chris applied for 4 consecutive years for the Master of Fine Arts Program in Screenwriting at UCLA before he was finally admitted. While at UCLA, he took classes with Scott Kosar the screenwriter and Felicia Henderson, a showrunner for the television series Soul Food. He used to sing in the Unity Choir at the infamous First African American Episcopal (Fame) Church in Los Angeles, California.

Somewhere along the way, while taking a Swing dance lesson at the world famous Derby in Hollywood, California during the national modern Swing craze, the room parted and “Big Town Chris” was born. Chris became a professional Swing dancer, performing in the background of films and television programs (including “The Ellen Show”, “Gilmore Girls”, “Pacific Blue”, “Sister, Sister”), performing across the state, and even performing for President Bill Clinton at a Democratic Party Fundraiser at the Century Hotel, in Century City, California. Performing Swing opened up a bevy of opportunities to perform other partner dances. And while auditioning to dance in the off-off-Broadway production of the 40’s musical “Make Mine 3-6-9”, Chris landed one of the principal roles, singing, dancing and acting.

Winner of several writing and filmmaking awards, Chris has directed, produced, written and edited several projects for film, television and stage.

In 2003, Chris completed the feature documentary How To Make It In Hollywood Before You Make, on which Chris worked as the producer, director, writer and editor. What started out as a $500 movie, wound up becoming a $5,000 investment. The documentary received a “Great” review from Chris Gore’s Film Threat, was named an Official Selection of the Hollywood Black Film Festival and The Roxbury International Film Festival and was picked up for distribution by Tapeworm Video Distributors.

Currently, Chris is writing, directing, and producing a slate of Hi-Def low-budget Faith-based features, the first being The 23rd Psalm, slated for theatrical release in 2007.

[edit] Influences

Chris’ father, an avid movie buff, first laid down Chris’ interest in movies. When the family bought their first VCR, they rented every movie with a Black face on it at the video rental store. Chris, who at first was curious with acting, was encouraged to investigate being involved behind-the-scenes in the entertainment industry. His last year of High School, Chris’ older brother, Edward J. Odom IV, brought home a movie called “She's Gotta Have It”, edited by a young guy his age his brother’s age, Spike Lee. Chris was impressed and amazed that a guy that young, who happened to also be African-American, had made a movie. That same summer, Chris competed in the Junior NAACP ACT-SO competition in Washington, D.C., as a classical trumpet player, and witnessed a single high school student win an award for being the only person that year to submit a movie for competition. Chris would later go on to idolize Spike Lee, Keenan Ivory Wayans, Robert Townsend, Matty Rich, Allan and Albert Hughes and John Singleton for ushering in a New Black Renaissance in film.

Chris, a student of the arts (singer, actor, writer, dancer, musician) and hungry to apply all of his talents to the filmmaking process, would later become extremely intrigued by Robert Rodriguez, better known for being a “one man crew”. When Chris first moved to Los Angeles, California, he wanted to utilize all of his skills, but he was told that trying to wear many hats couldn’t be done. When Chris learned that Rodriguez was performing in several of the key roles in on a single major Hollywood movie, Chris fast forwarded his career and entered the world of feature filmmaking.

Being a three time film student, Chris is also greatly influenced by Steven Spielberg, Akira Kurosawa, George Lucas, Orson Wells and Peter Greenaway. When Chris first moved to Los Angeles, he was mentored by his father’s Omega Psi Phi fraternity brother Samm-Art Williams, then the Executive Producer of the television series “Martin”. At that time the seed was planted for Chris to solidify his skills and to one day run and own his own studio.

[edit] Awards

  • Film Independent (FIND), How To Make It In Hollywood Before You Make It, Certificate of Recognition
  • Roxbury International Film Festival, How To Make It In Hollywood Before You Make It, Official Selection
  • Martha's Vineyard African-American Film Festival, How To Make It In Hollywood Before You Make It, Official Selection
  • Hollywood Black Film Festival', How To Make It In Hollywood Before You Make It, Finalist
  • San Francisco African-American Film Festival Screenplay Contest,The Hill, Finalist
  • Scriptapalooza TV Pilot Competition, Holmes: Mo's Revenge, Finalist
  • ABC, Finalist
  • William J. Bell & Lee Phillip Bell / The Young And The Restless TV Writing, Fellowship
  • Agency Of The Performing Arts Marty Klein Comedy Writing, Fellowship
  • Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gormé TV Writing, Fellowship
  • Benjamin Bycel Screenwriting, Fellowship

[edit] Selected Works

  • The 23rd Psalm, Feature, Director/Writer/Cinematographer/Editor/Producer, In\-Post Production
  • How To Make It In Hollywood Before You Make It, Documentary, Director/Writer/Cinematographer/Editor/Producer, Tapeworm Video Distributors
  • Angel of Hate, Feature, Cinematographer, by Michael Marks

[edit] External links